UNDER HIS SPELL by Rachel Carrington Read Free Book Online

have
scared her, or at the very least, concerned her.   It didn’t.   “The word of a wizard is sacred.   We do not make a promise we will not keep.”
    The stony edge to the words coupled with the succinct way Rane said
them made Skye scoot farther away from him.   She held up one hand.   “Look, I
understand your frustration and all that, but you have to understand where I’m
coming from.   I don’t know you any more
than you know me.”   She paused and
surveyed him with a studious look.   “Or
as well as I think you know me anyway.   Don’t you think it’s only natural that I doubt the man who’s holding me
captive?”
    Rane’s posture didn’t relax.   “If you choose to think of me as a man, then, yes, but I am first and
foremost, a wizard.”
    Skye got to her feet and walked to the window once more.   “That I’ve never doubted, Mr. Hansen.”
    “The name is Rane.”
    “I’m well aware of your name, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for
us to get very familiar with one another.”
    “Why’s that?”  
    Skye fidgeted with the edge of the curtain.   “Because I won’t be here much longer.”
    Rane approached her.   Skye
felt his presence even before he reached her.   The width of his shoulders obliterated the furnishings behind him and
when he drew closer, Skye had to tip her head back to see his face.   Cast in the light of the moon, his features
were more relaxed, approachable even, but she didn’t doubt that could change in
a moment’s notice.
    “Apparently, you’ve read my mind.”   Rane reached out to touch her face with the tips of his fingers and Skye
shivered, frozen in place as his hand made a caressing journey toward the swell
of her throat.  
    His skin rasped softly against hers and Skye drew in a shaky
breath.   “What do you mean?”   Focus was eluding her, skating away like a
fine mist in the early morning sun.   Could she really hope that he had gotten a dose of conscience?   Would he really release her?   And what would she do if he decided to let
her go?   She couldn’t go home without
proof of his death and the amulet.   He
wasn’t exactly being a cooperative victim.
    Rane placed his lips against her ear and Skye’s knees almost
buckled.   She’d never doubted the wizard’s
way with the ladies, but this close, his magnetism was overwhelming.   Her hands fluttered against the soft cotton
of his shirt before fisting against the buttons.   “You were correct when you said you wouldn’t
be here much longer.”
    A strange buzzing sensation started in the base of Skye’s brain as
she concentrated fully on his words, trying to make sense of them.   “What are you talking about and please move
away from me.”
    Rane only leaned in closer, so close his cheek scraped her jaw
slightly.   “You don’t want to stay here.”

“That can’t be a surprise to you.”   Skye wished he’d move away.   At
least she thought that was what she wanted.   His hand was now moving in slow, lazy circles over her spine, sinking
lower and lower until her knees bumped against one another.
    Rane chuckled, low and husky.   “Nothing comes as a surprise to a wizard, Skye.”
    “Don’t tell me you’ve grown a conscience and you’re going to release
me.”
    He lifted his head and while black eyes searched her face, hope
swelled in Skye’s heart.   Could it really
be that easy?   Would the wizard really
release her?   Maybe his ethics had
finally stepped in.   Maybe…
    “Actually, I’ve decided to leave as well.”
    Skye’s thoughts came skidding to a halt.   “What do you mean?”   Suspicion crept into her voice.
    He caught hold of her wrist and pressed a kiss against the tender
skin on the underside of her forearm.   “You and I are going to take a little trip together, Skye.”
    “Little trip?”   The words
squeaked out.
    Rane’s smile was wickedly charming.   “It’s been a while since I’ve been home.”
    “Home?”   Skye